Darren Xuan’s Apology

Lucia Lu let go of her and grinned, "Honestly, I think I'm just regular! How come you always hype me up like I'm some goddess?"

Luna Lian handed over a storage pouch, teasing, "Check this out! Maybe you'll finally get how much everyone adores you."

"What's this?"

"These are letters people gave me and Ryan Lu to pass on to you."

Lucia Lu peeked inside, and sure enough, the pouch was stuffed with letters—some written on jade slips, some on fancy paper, some on special materials—all beautifully made and smelling sweet, clearly a labor of love.

She randomly picked one—it was from a dragon youth who’d joined the barracks with her, gushing that he fell for her at first sight, can’t sleep, can’t focus, and was now bravely pouring out his feelings...

There were dozens of these confessions, all stuffed in the pouch.

Some came from fellow trainees, others from High Gods in different units.

Lucia Lu tossed the opened letters back into the pouch, baffled. "Wait, how did I not know about any of this?"

"When you were off at Peach Blossom Haven, people from the Lumina Realm kept sending us letters, and matchmakers wouldn’t leave Mom alone. She figured it was better not to tell you, so you wouldn’t get awkward around them."

"Mom always knows how to look out for me!" Lucia Lu shook her head. "Let’s just stop accepting these, okay?"

"You think we want them? People keep shoving them at us—there’s no way to refuse!"

Lucia Lu pulled out a mirror and checked the face she’d been seeing for nine hundred years—totally bored with it. "So I’m actually a knockout? How did I not notice all this time?"

"Divine Lady Lucia." Suddenly, someone stepped out from behind a grove of purple bamboo.

Lucia Lu quickly stashed the mirror and turned around—Darren Xuan.

He was Princess Quinn Xiao’s fiancé—and her cousin, too.

"Darren? What’s up?" Lucia Lu asked.

"I came to apologize." Darren Xuan gave a formal bow. "The Princess is used to being above everyone and isn’t great with people. I apologize for her. I hope, for the Celestial Emperor’s sake, you won’t hold it against her."

Lucia Lu smiled, "I won’t hold it against her, don’t worry."

"Thank you, Divine Lady, for being so gracious." Darren Xuan bowed again—such a refined, handsome guy.

Lucia Lu couldn’t help but sigh, "The Princess is lucky to have such a gentle, well-mannered husband."

Darren Xuan gave a sheepish smile. "You flatter me! I’m just a small-time god from the lower realm. Being ‘ordered’ to be the Princess’s Prince Consort is my good luck, really."

He really had a quirky way of talking.

‘Ordered’ to be the Princess’s Prince Consort?

He honestly didn’t sound thrilled about it...

Lucia Lu smiled, "Class is about to start. Let’s head back."

"Divine Lady!" Darren Xuan called out again, stopping her.

"What’s up?" Lucia Lu asked.

"My mother was poisoned by something strange—her whole body’s covered in scales, and she’s in agony. We’ve seen tons of Spiritual Alchemists, but no one can cure her." Darren Xuan said, gathering his courage. "Sorry to be so forward, but I wanted to ask—"

"What are you two doing?!" Suddenly, a shrill voice cut through the air.

They all turned to see Princess Quinn Xiao striding over, Jenna Summers right behind her.

Princess Quinn Xiao looked absolutely furious. "Lucia Lu, you’re unbelievable! Darren Xuan is my fiancé—are you seriously trying to hook up with him?"

"Princess! No, it’s not like that! You’ve got it all wrong!" Darren Xuan rushed to explain.

"Shut up!" Princess Quinn Xiao snapped, not letting him finish. She grabbed Lucia Lu and hissed, "You’re trying to seduce my Prince Consort? I’m telling my Royal Father—he’ll kick you out of the barracks!"

Lucia Lu couldn’t help but laugh, "Go ahead! I dare you!"